Newsletter

Public safety summary

A Coast Guard helicopter crew from Air Station Savannah rescued a kayaker who became stranded in a muddy marsh near Hilton Head Island, S.C., after the tide went out Friday.

The 37-year-old man’s brother, who was kayaking with him, called for help about 4 p.m., reporting they were stranded and his brother had a medical condition, which put him at risk if he waited there for the tide to come back in, said Petty Officer First Class Lauren Jorgensen.

Watchstanders in the Coast Guard Sector Charleston command center directed the launch of the Savannah-based helicopter crew, which arrived on scene at 5:32 p.m. A rescue swimmer was lowered down to the kayaker and helped the man get into the rescue basket to be hoisted, Jorgensen said.

The air crew transported the man to Hilton Head Hospital. He was reportedly in stable condition, Jorgensen said.

Local rescue agencies helped the man’s brother get to shore with the kayaks.

The Coast Guard encourages mariners to check weather, tides and nautical charts before and during every boating trip.